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zipper lubricant?

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Humdinger

07/03/2012 07:37AM

I just returned from a BW trip last week and the lower zipper on my eureka tent has a sticky spot. Maybe I bent the teeth doing the bad thing of opening by pulling on the door flap, but the teeth look good. Its only in one spot about 16" from the end and the teeth are plastic coated.

So is my zipper due for replacement or is there a lubricant you can put on the coated teeth that won't eat the zipper or adjacent cloth?

Thanks in advance.
H

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Minnesotian

07/03/2012 07:48AM

You could try putting graphite lubricant on the zips. That might help.

"We should go forth on the shortest walk, perchance in the spirit of undying adventure, never to return - prepared to send back our embalmed hearts only as relics to our desolate kingdom." - Thoreau

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KarlBAndersen1

07/03/2012 07:59AM

Silicon spray.
I've even un-stuck frozen zippers with it.
Spray inside and out.

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Benutzer

07/03/2012 08:03AM

I've run a (unlit) candle over a zipper a few times, and the wax has helped quite a bit.

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RainGearRight

07/03/2012 08:08AM

Was it one of these?

Jokes aside, neat idea.

There's always money in the banana stand.

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butthead

07/03/2012 08:09AM

McNett Gear Aid Zipper Repair Kit Is a handy repair item to carry. I have also used wax for zipper lube with good success.

butthead

“There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life.” ? Frank Zappa

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Benutzer

07/03/2012 08:26AM

quote RainGearRight: "Was it one of these?"

LOL, that's a good idea to let someone else use it and distract the critters from your own tent!

I usually use a tea candle as it's just the right size, it's unscented, and the wife usually has some laying around here and there. Used it on tents, wetsuits, and rain gear zippers. Three or four swipes across each side of the zipper and it seems to work smoothly and quietly afterward.

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WhiteWolf

07/03/2012 08:34AM

crisco oil.

"What good fortune for governments that the people do not think." — Adolf Hitler

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gutmon

07/03/2012 08:53AM

I've used a lead pencil to free up zippers before.

"The trouble with the world isn't that people know too little, but that they know so much that just ain't so." Mark Twain

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yellowcanoe

07/03/2012 09:09AM

quote butthead: " McNett Gear Aid Zipper Repair Kit Is a handy repair item to carry. I have also used wax for zipper lube with good success.

butthead"

Agree on the Mc Netts. I do not use WD 40. That has an unfortunate attribute of attracting more dirt to mess up the zipper. While I have not used it on zippers I have found that out from lubricating kayak paddle ferrules.

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Darcyn

07/03/2012 09:13AM

what I've done since a youngster in scouts is use a bar of soap.
It doesn't damage the material like oils can and its generally available
when out camping. It's also works great on leathers and doesn't attract
dirt.

Darcyn

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Snipit

07/03/2012 11:58AM

McNett's "zip care" (???) cleans and lubricates zippers

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Dan Cooke

Guest Paddler

07/03/2012 12:03PM

McNett zip care has saved many zippers from replacement. Folks have brought items with zippers they thought were toast. Working in the Zip care made the zippers function as they should.

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Dbor

07/03/2012 12:16PM

Proper zipper care is extremely necessary!!!

Zipper

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bapabear

07/03/2012 12:22PM

I say, "Down with zippers!!"

Have picked up some good ideas here.

May waters rise to meet you. May wind and current be always at your back. May the Good Lord paddle with you, And may yours be the lightest pack.

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Dan Cooke

Guest Paddler

07/03/2012 12:30PM

copied from YKK website.
http://www.ykk-usa.com/cleverusesofzippers.html

Suitable method of cleaning
A zipper should be closed and the slider fixed before cleaning. Left open, the tip of the slider may damage the fabric or the tape may become stretched or may shrink.Strong alkaline detergents or chlorine bleaching agents used to remove oil or stains dissolve paraffin or oily film and must be used with care.If a zipper does not work smoothly after cleaning, apply paraffin or the lubricating spray "ZIPPYCOOL®," and work the slider up and down several times until it works smoothly.

there are other zipper care tips at there web page

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Humdinger

07/03/2012 02:34PM

Dan,
What does the Mcnett zipcare look like? I have several variations of moly lube spray, PTFE mold release, and electronics cleaners that may work.

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DanCooke

07/03/2012 04:47PM

Goes on as a liquid and then coats and dries. It has a brush aplicator built into it so you can get all of the teeth. Most Zipper Failures as a result of use is from wearing out the zipper pull. Once the pull is replaced the zipper has another life. The lubricant / dirt repellent is to prolong the wear that dirt has on the pull. I have never seen the teeth of the zipper to wear before the pull. Get the nickle plated zipper pulls, they always last longer than the painted ones.

Dan Cooke

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